Cristal Global ceases production at Baltimore facility

Cristal Global on August 10 announced that it will cease base pigment manufacturing at its Hawkins Point Plant in Baltimore, Md.

The plant was idled in March 2009 as a result of the severe economic downturn. Despite recently improved demand for titanium dioxide, the long-term outlook for the facility remains unfavorable. However, while base pigment production will formally end, we continue to study all possible options for continued manufacturing activity at the site.

“We are able to manufacture the products made at this facility at our other, lower cost sites,” said John Hall, senior vice president for strategy and development. “This was a difficult decision, but after a thorough review of options, there was really no choice but to discontinue base pigment manufacturing permanently at this location.”

The Hawkins Point plant, established in 1954, manufactured titanium dioxide, a white pigment used to provide whiteness, brightness, opacity and durability to coatings, plastics, and paper.

Cristal Global is the world’s second-largest producer of titanium dioxide and a leading producer of titanium chemicals. Cristal Global operates eight TiO2 manufacturing plants in six countries on five continents and employs nearly 4,000 people worldwide.